outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

often attributive

: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient

Examples of outpatient in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Teenagers with difficulty accessing their outpatient mental health care come to the ED in crisis, with intensifying depression or anxiety. —Dr. Lauren Palladino, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026

The outpatient clinic opened in 2020 and offers services including primary care, as well as specialty health services such as laboratory work, telehealth, and mental health care, according to its website. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

For instance, inpatient hospital care may be subject to a different set of cost-sharing rules than outpatient care. —Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026

The outpatient clinic in Jasper offers services that include primary care and specialty health services, including laboratory, telehealth and mental health care, according to its website. —Emilie Megnien, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outpatient

• impatient
• inpatient
• patient

Kids Definition

outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

: a patient who visits a hospital for diagnosis or treatment without staying overnight compare inpatient

Medical Definition

outpatient

noun

out·​pa·​tient ˈau̇t-ˌpā-shənt 

: a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment compare inpatient